Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 23: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION “Ten years! But that’s im- possible! They planted at least one crop.” “Perhaps they did, sir, but these seeds are ten years old.” She stared up at him, her features an expressionless mask, but somehow he had the impression that she was laughing at him. “Could it be that they planted some other crop than wheat?’ “It’s possible,’ he admitted, then frowned as he tried to remember what the records had stated. “I believe that the first planting was one of maize.”’ “That would account for it, sir. These seeds are those of wheat.”’ : “Andthey never used them.” He nodded and abruptly snapped his fingers. ““Of course! If they planted a crop there should be signs of it. Tell me, would maize continue to grow without attention ?” “If it grew there should still be signs where it was planted,”’ she admitted. “It would have reverted to a wild state, of 22 course, but it should still be recognisable.” ‘And yet the clearing shows no signs of cultivation other than bare soil.’ He stared at the woman. “‘You’re an agro- nomist I take it? What’s your name?” *““Brenson, Mary Brenson, scientist second class.” She — rose to her feet. “Shall we go and investigate ?”’ There were no seeds. There was nothing in the rich black loam but scurrying beetles and normal humus. Williams bit his lips as he watched the girl sift the soil and examine it, running it through her long, slender fingers, finally to admit defeat. “Nothing, sir.” “And should there be?” “If they germinated, yes. If not . . .” She shrugged, wiping her hands on _ her coverall, and tipped the sample of soil back into its container. “You mean that they would have rotted away ?” “Perhaps. They could either have shrivelled and remained, - Comiclooks.com